This post covers an interesting topic which I had been hoping for some qualified input on – how best to make use of good domains that are “pending” site/business development. Generally I find that there are 4 main objectives in this phase:

1)Generate revenue – monetize the type-in traffic if possible, using AdSense, affiliate ads, and/or a leadgen form
2)Listbuilding – why not take advantage of the visitors that drop by while your great site is in planning or construction; a simple “notify me when the site is live” will often do
3)Return visitors – try to give visitors some reason to come back; for instance by creating light content, a small industry directory, anything is better than a blank page
4)Get to know the audience – like Elliot’s post mentions, pull information from the visitors and get to know them before launching the “real” site

What are your thoughts?

Have users fill out a form telling you want they want, sell that lead to a reseller (who then fulfills the lead) or build your own advertiser network andd match the user to advertisers who can help them.

Most lead generation sites are nothing more than a form that asks the person what they are looking for.

Thanks, Jim

Matching your interests/ability to a perfect domain is a huge plus. I would go as far as saying in very competitive area it may not be worth developing without a perfect domain.

I would give what type-in visitors want to see very little weight relative to what your interests and abilities are.

Great post. One alternative though is to actually have different buttons for them to click on regarding different topics and then measure the results.

In other words, my experience has been that when it comes to focus groups, polls, etc… People don’t always say what they want. Nor do they say what they mean. So instead asking them for their opinion (which always changes) actually give them choices to make and let their click-behavior determine results or drive further testing.

Just a thought.

Mark